West Burra, Bight Of The Sandy Geos, House

HU32NE 11 3590 2930

See also HU33SE 43.

Situated in the centre of the valley on level ground some 10m from the cliff edge on the southern end of the Bight. The immediately surrounding ground is saturated by small streams running to the south side of the structure but the house is slightly raised (whether naturally or artificially is not known). The main part of the structure consists of

a well defined oval mound (c.10.5 by 6.5m) with a levelled interior. The wall construction is well preserved to the east where it is c1m wide and survives to a height of c0.4m; at this point there is good evidence of interior and exterior wall faces of earthfast stones. At the east end a low mound indicates an annexe that would have given the building as a whole a length of c.13.5m and an east-west orientation.

J W Hedges 1984

HU 33 42 The entire coastlines of the islands of West Burra, East Burra and Tondra together with a 20m inland strip was surveyed during May-June 1995. The aim was to locate and identify sites and areas of archaeology either currently subject to, or under threat from coastal erosion.

West Burra: Thirty-five sites were identified, including cairns, dykes, burnt mounds, and prehistoric houses. Of interest were two extensive midden areas close to the modern settlement at Papil. Fragments of pottery, apparently of Iron Age date were recovered from the eroding cliff section.

Sponsor: Shetland Amenity Trust.

EASE 1995.